I honestly expected to love this book nine million percent…but…I didn’t.

I’m one of those weirdos who don’t like reading the same story twice. I’m loyal to the FIRST version I read. And I’m never fond of books that don’t seem entirely original. I wanted epic originality and I got a rehash of old glories.

* Yeah…no. Don’t call me deluded. I’m sensitive, you know.

What exactly are these so-called similarities? HUH?

Oh goodie. Allow me to explain.

Like Red Rising by Pierce Brown: The classes are called by colour. In Red Queen, it’s Silver vs Red (silver being awesome, and red being poor peasants). In Red Rising, Gold are the awesome and…the poor peasants? RED. Hmm…

Like The Selection by Keira Cass: The pluck-a-commoner-from-the-crowds-and-make-her-a-queen is the plot line of both. Really really similar, actually.

Like The Hunger Games: Obviously the arena and fighting is the point of The Hunger Games, and in Red Queen it begins with an arena scene (it’s how they punish people). Fight to the death. Roman names. Crowd cheers like proper psychopaths.

Like X-Men: All the super powers.

That saying: IT WAS STILL A GOOD READ!

It’s funny! The characters are fantastic and the narrator, Mare, was a spunky girl I could easily root for. There was awesome sizzling super powers. There was family*. There was a totally unique romance. And the cover is also gorgeous.**

*I love books where the families are actually a thing.
** Let’s be honest: that counts for a lot.)

While I did love Mare, I wish she’d had a bit more character development.

To me, she felt like the same person from beginning to end. (Where is the change?) Except she learnt manners and how to faint. Eh. Also her name…I HAVE QUESTIONS. Is it pronounced Mare rhyming with Fair or Mare rhyming with Far? Because you know what was going through my head?

PONY! PONY!

Which distracted me a lot.

So let’s talk about the heartthrobs, yes?

There’s three boys and one Mare. EVERYBODY LOVES MARE! I did like the romance, though! It wasn’t the biggest plot point of the book either. It was so well balanced. The plot focuses on intrigue, lies, and politics, instead of agnsty teenage romance.

Poor Kilorn. He hears ya, Gale.

When Mare basically gets kidnapped into palace life, she’s betrothed to Maven, but she has a lot of chemistry with his older brother Cal. Not to mention her hunky dory fellow back at home, Kilorn. He has just about as much luck in this book as Gale in Catching Fire.

I loved the princes and they both had depth!

Just remember: NOTHING IS SIMPLE IN THIS BOOK. Oh gawsh, how I love that. I didn’t ship anyone, though. I didn’t trust anyone. (I am wise.)

Although, with Maven…

Spoiler!!

I think Maven’s character change from “nice boy” to “evil ruler” at the end was a little too fast? It felt like SNAP, sweet little Maven is suddenly a PSYCHOPATH. Maybe I read too fast and just didn’t see the hints, but I would’ve liked to see more…unhinged-ness about him earlier. He was an absolute proper psychopath, yet he didn’t seem to have the ticks and tells.

The writing was good!

It’s nothing I would scream and cry over, but…it’s FUNNY. I love funny. I love to sit back and snicker at clever lines and this definitely had some epic banter.

Am I the only one who thought this was an Alice in Wonderland retelling?!

It sounds like it. It looks like it. IT IS NOT. But Mare does make a complete Alice quote that kind of made me grin. I wonder if it was a subtle reference?!

“I woke up this morning as one person,” I mutter, more to myself than him, “and now I’m supposed to be someone else entirely.”RED QUEEN by Victoria Aveyard

“I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.”ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Lewis Carroll

It’s a book of political tension, superpowers, with a dash of rags to riches and let’s not forget: VIVA LA REVOLUTION!

I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it, and I wish it’d been more original. I just feel like I’ve read this story before. Several times.

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers. To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change. Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control. But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

how about you, my felicitous friends? do you ever get a sense of “deja vu” when you read? does it affect the new book or are you loyal to the original? have you read Red Queen?! thoughts?!

CAIT @ PAPER FURY

…has a rather large addiction to all things Alice in Wonderland. (And a certain Moth, but let’s not get off track here.) She likes slightly insane things and completely unhinged characters. Speak of the psycho, she’s currently reading FAIREST by Marissa Meyer which is about an evil queen and a mirror.

Comments

I THOUGHT IT WAS ALICE IN WONDERLAND AS WELL LOL. Red Queen – I mean, come on. But…yeah, I don’t know about this one. It’s dystopian but people keep raving about it…but it’s DYSTOPIAN and I’m not the biggest fan of dystopian.

I totally agree with you . I’m loyal to the first book so any book I read after (any books after the publication date of the first book) I’m very critical on. I gave this one a 3.5 stars for that reason plus the world building was just basic. There’s also need for character development. Hmm I pronounce Mare’s name like “fair”.

Huh, well then. I’ve heard great things about this book BUT- I haven’t read any of the books in which you compare it to so I think I’d love it! (actually I lie I’ve read the Hunger Games trilogy) But I do want to read this a lot one day!!!!

Is that….IT IS! Cait, Cait, Cait, I promise I’ll read your actual review but first I have to comment on that lovely Les Mis gif you used of Aaron Tveit as Enjoiras, omg, are you actually familiar with Les Miserables? ARE YOU? Ok, freak out mode is over. I’ll be commenting again later about the review.

Gah! I had my hopes up. Oh it’s totally ok, I’m only familiar with the musical/musical adaption movie and the book sumary and what I’ve read of the book. 🙂 It counts a bit! I highly suggest you check out the musical, the 25th anniversary, or the movie then the 25th anniversary, they’re on dvd. You can get them together. Aren’t I such a pusher?

On to your review comment, that is some mash up.

Mare sounds like it would be pronounced like it looks, mare, rhyming with fair. Or care. Or Lair.Moving on…

It sucks she didn’t have much character development. Maybe the sequel will be better with that.

I. Hate. Love. Triangles. Ah, oh well.

I did not click the spoiler! You should be proud of me now.
Red Queen does sound like it would be an Alice in Wonderland retelling, if only from the title.

The political tension gives me hope and God knows I LOVE a good revolution. La Vie Boheme, Viva La France…..

Well, I certainly thought it was an Alice retelling, from the covers and blurbs and reviews. I think I’ll still enjoy Red Queen, though — I haven’t read Red Rising or The Selection, so I suppose the overlap won’t be too serious. Although *cough* I am cautious about the romance. We’ll see.

OH YAY! I felt like literally everyone loved it but me, but we shall be black sheep together, eh?! 😉 The character development saddens me a lot. I read books for delicious characters and…this one was just a bit void.

Some books DEFINITELY give me de ja vu. Like I’ve been there before. For example the last Artemis Fowl book- not that I didn’t love it, it was just the last three AF books with odds stacked higher. Some tropes work really well, but when a book is entirely a mashup, I’ m not sure (That said, I do love retellings. Where do they fit in/) I haven’t read RED QUEEN, but it looks interesting. Also, you’re reading Fairest? So Jealous 🙂 enjoy the evil, ha

Ahh, I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy this, Cait! I’ve heard such good things and it sounds so good! I will still be picking this up though because I think I’ll quite enjoy it! 😀 I haven’t read Red Rising or The Selection so perhaps I’ll read Red Queen before I start on those haha! ;D

Ooooo uh, I err – well, I have a copy of this to read, and I admit, I’m secretly very excited to read it, I mean, it sounds brilliant, and I’m torn the whole romance aspect, someone said it was a love triangle, but there’s three guys?! Hhumph. ANYWAY. I also fear because I DNF’d Red Rising, thought HG was okay, and haven’t read The Selection, and – you know, what if I don’t like it? *sad mopey face* I shall still try. Great review Cait! 😀

Similar things have been said by other bloggers. However, I happen to love The Selection (it’s terrible yet ADDICTING. like reality TV) so even if this one isn’t all that great, I’ll probably still read it. I just got strangely attached to it, even though I have not read a page of it. That must just be my weird brain.

I read a few other Red Queen blog reviews that bascally said the same thing, so you are not alone. They, however, were not as giving with their star ratings, if you know what I mean. *studies fingernails of right hand* You, my dear, get the GIFFY AWARD for the jump roping horse and rider! The “will you read a deja vu storyline” is difficult to answer for me because before I read Of Breakable Things I would have quickly and outrightly said, “NO!” OBT had this Harry Potter vibe to it that was comforting; like being back home. This is why I hate telling people it reminds me of HP because they end up rolling their eyes. So anyway, now that I know a story can remind me of another in a good way, I can’t say no. I do want to ask, because I saw this recently; what if the similar storyline book came first? I saw a two star review recently that stated a book was too much like “so-and-so”, which she loved, and didn’t like that the book being reviewed was so similar. I got angry because the book she gave the bad review to came first! The book she loved was the copycat.

Hmmm…I know this is a three star review, but you’ve actually made this sound REALLY good (to me anyway). Trouble is, it sounds dystopian, and I’m not a fan of dystopian. In fact I kind of hate it. Still, I may have to try this because I love funny and I LOVE banter so…hmm…

Actually, I seem to be deja vu immune. Whenever other people discuss how similar books are, I’m usually that one girl who stands up and says: “Look, I get that they use a lot of the same tropes, but those series don’t OWN those tropes, okay? Okay.” and then leaves quickly before anyone can flame her 😉

I need to read this guy for review soon, eep. I’ve been hearing mixed reviews of this, most because it does read similar to a bunch of other books. I haven’t read Red Rising or The Selection yet, so I’m hoping I’ll enjoy The Red Queen a little more!
I’m happy to hear that it’s still pretty good despite not sounding too original.

I’ve been hearing that it’s similar to a lot of books. Kind of sad about it but glad to hear the writing was enjoyable! I honestly might just buy this book because of the gorgeous cover and inside haha 🙂

Oh, that always drives me INSANE. I want to read something new, not something that reminds me of another book I liked! I think I’ll still give this a go, because it does look fascinating from what I’ve seen, but I’m glad I’m not the only person who thought of Red Rising immediately while reading about it. I’m pretty sure that’ll annoy me the whole way through…sigh.

Mare’s a weird name o.0 Interesting, something I wouldn’t have thought of, but weird. I was thinking of ponies through the whole review xD THAT COVER THOUGH. It’s so prettyyyyyyy.

All in all, I’m curious about it now. And you used a Les Mis gif, so cake for you!

Loved this review! I literally LOLed reading it, especially the part about thinking it was an Alice in Wonderland retelling (apparently you weren’t the only one, but it never occurred to me haha). And the part about the pony. Hilarious 🙂 I really want to read this, just to see for myself if I’ll like it or if it will be more “meh”.

It’s too bad you didn’t think this book was original. It really does sound a lot like the blurb of Red Rising, and the whole silver blood thing is kind of like the dragons in Seraphina who bleed silver. It doesn’t bother me too much if a book has elements of other books as long as the book puts a unique twist on it. There are so many unique minds in this world that someone is bound to come up with an idea similar to someone else’s and the human brain is really good at noticing patterns, so we notice things like that. I also loved hearing that this book focuses a lot on family. I feel like that’s so under-appreciated in YA. I can’t wait to read Red Queen when it comes out!

I only had a really strogn deja vu sense once when reading Half Blood by Jennifer Armentrout as it’s almost the same as Vampire Academy. Luckily the second book takes a turn for the original, but the first book had so many similarities it was weird. In the end I like both series, but I still feel like Vampire Academy is mre original as I read that first. Great review and I am happy it still had soem good points even beside it feeling like a deja vu.

I guess there’s nothing new under the sun, especially when it comes to YA books.

That being said, it actually sounds really good, even if it is a bit of a copy-cat. I haven’t actually read Red Rising or The Selection (even thought the cover is so PRETTY), so I might be okay with it, haha. I like stuff with revolutions and intrigue and complexity.

This sounds interesting. It seems strange though that there was very little change in the protagonist, especially when she made that very close Alice quote (that’s just scary close, it can’t be a coincidence; perhaps the author is an Alice in Wonderland fan and it’s her way of giving a nod of applause to it in her writing? probably not, but it’s what I would do. . .). The lack of character development would disappoint me, but the world and concept both sound interesting. And the cover! How can it be so perfect? Just how?!

I never picked up on the Wonderland similarities in the dialect, and Wonderland is totally my thing. I actually absolutely loved this though, I mean lick the pages kind of loving, just to eat the words. I could see the similarities to The Selection, where she’s paraded around like a trophy, but The Selection was a mockery really. Completely agree, it was written so beautifully. I’m usually not all that into Fantasy, but this has spurred me on to getting into the genre more, and any book that has made me actually enjoy Fantasy, is phenomenal in my book. Glad you did enjoy this one though smushy. I think book two is set to be *singsongs* eeeeeeepic!

I’ve been hearing lots of hype for this one… and the reviews on Goodreads are a jumbled mix. Scrolling through them showed me everything from a flat out 1 star and five big, sparkly stars. I loved how your review easily highlighted the things you liked about Red Queen, but clearly stated the things that bothered you. I still plan to read this one, but my expectations have definitely been lowered, even with the buzz.

I actually didn’t think it was either. I haven’t read Red Rising or The Selection [pukes]. I really enjoyed Red Queen because of it. I think it makes sense for me because I don’t have all that comparison knowledge that you do.

I actually found Mare to be really developed and a likeable character. I felt like she went through a lot from start to finish.

I totally agree about this feeling incredibly familiar and like a mix of a bunch of stuff I’d read before. I felt like I was rereading something that I’d read like five years ago and only vaguely remembered – there was just enough of a “oh yeah, I remember this part” to put me on the back foot. Or something. I just finished it this morning and now have to go write a review of it. I hate writing middle-of-the-road reviews. There’s so much more to talk about when I love or hate a book. Sigh…

This review is amazing. Here’s why: I have this book on its way to my house. The things that bothered you likely won’t bother me because I have only read (albeit obsessively) The Hunger Games out of those books. SO, even though it didn’t feel fresh to you, I have no knowledge of the other books! Of course, it DOES present a problem for when I want to read THOSE books, but well, that’s their problem. I…. don’t even really remember much about Alice in Wonderland, so I am good there too.

Poor Not-Gale though. I always did feel sorry for him, even though he could never compete with my dear Peeta. In my mind, he ends up with Johanna Mason. And they eventually all move back to District 12 when Mrs. Everdeen retires and takes care of the grandkids, because Katniss is writing her memoir “My Life As a Tribute” or “Ode to Nightlock” or something. Illustrations by Peeta Mellark. And she didn’t change her last name, did she? I mean, she is kind of a big deal.

Wait, that was really off topic. OH- Mare. I think the same thing! That is an odd name choice. But I have hope for this book, I do. You have given me hope!

Also, I LOVE your pictures. You take such lovely pictures. I would like to do this, but the massive snow piles in my life leave me little scenery (and come on- my books are NOT going in the snow).

Yes! This, exactly! I liked it too, but I annoyed at how familiar it seemed. The tropes were so cliched and strong that it was distraction. I called the Maven thing, but was not happy about it. Also called the most of what happened with Cal…including the teaching her to dance (really? sigh). I even called the things about her brother. And why? Because I’ve read this all before!

WAIT THIS ISN’T AN ALICE RETELLING?? I totally thought it was!! Of course, I was only judging from the title. I hadn’t actually read a synopsis or anything like a normal person would. I still sort of really want to read this. I agree about reading the same story more than once though – I always like the first version I read the best too. I haven’t read Red Rising yet (though I’ve owned it for over a year now =/ ) or the Selection so maybe it won’t seem too too much like a rehash of old plots for me. Although there are THREE boys and one Mare? That’s like a love rectangle 0.o

By the way, I was at work when I got the email about this post so I read it there. I nearly choked on my coffee when I saw that pony gif. It made my day =P

It does sound a bit formulaic, BUT I haven’t red Red Rising or The Selection, so I might not mind that much? And funny is good… I don’t like love triangles (squares?), but if the focus isn’t on the romance I might not mind… I JUST WANT TO BUY IT BECAUSE OF THE COVER DAMNIT. 😀

I also wondered whether it was an Alice in Wonderland retelling when I first saw the cover, but then I read the blurb and thought it must just be a coincidence. The quote seems more like something generic a lot of characters have said/thought in various books to me, but who knows.

I’m not sure whether I could ever take the main character seriously after that gif. What is it with dystopian authors and their unfortunate name choices? 😀

Your head is feeling very book-linkish for this review isn’t it? Hmm. The Red Queen sounds pretty awesome (thankfully I haven’t read Red Rising yet or else I might have been totally turned off) and the cover is gorgeous. Don’t much mind the love interest stuff considering it’s focusing on the political aspects more (whoop! whoop!). The funny banter makes it sound like it’ll be enjoyable (instead of serious all the time).
PLUS THAT GIF THOUGH. BLOODY HELL CAIT. I DAMN NEAR SNORTED. XD

I’ve been really excited about this book for so long, but I’m hearing more and more people being disappointed by it, so I’m starting to worry. Maybe it’s because the expectations are to high? I’m probably gonna read it still – my expectations just aren’t as high anymore.
Lovely review (:

Omg Cait, I had the weirdest sense of deja vu with this book as well! I couldn’t enjoy the first half of the book that much because it felt too much like a mesh up of all these other books I’ve read previously. But then I lowered my expectations and enjoyed the second half A LOT MORE. While it included all the cliched tropes, I think I liked Red Queen because it improved on the issues that I found in all the other books. Like it was a better version because the author listened and made a better version…?! I don’t even know what I’m trying to say. I did not even expect the twist with Maven because I’d try to keep too much of an open mind with the second half haha! But I agree with you…the change felt really off. :/

I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH MARE’S NAME. Especially since I spend so much time around horses/ learning about animals, my brain can’t process it as anything else. So I’ll probably end up picturing her with a horse head or something the entire time. Which could prove quite entertaining, actually.

The similarities to those different dystopians does have me a little worried, but I’m hoping the world is different enough and entertaining enough that I can enjoy it. I’m glad the romance doesn’t take up too much of the plot because those three guys liking Mare would get on my nerves.

EXACTLY MY FEELINGS which is why I’m scared to read this. I haven’t even read the Selection, but I feel like I’ll compare it to Red Rising too much. Gah. Oh well. I think I’ll still read it from the library and see what I think. I’m glad you at least enjoyed it Cait!

I have to admit I am a little sad to hear that this one read like a lot of other YA books. I am still excited to reading but I will be lowering my expectations. I’ve seen some rather wonderful reviews, so maybe I will love it. I don’t know, I really hate when books remind me far too much of other books. We shall see!!!!

Yes, a lot of deja vu when I read The Selection. It feels like a mixture of The Hunger Games and Princess Academy :/. Perhaps I’m too sensitive.
ISN’T RED QUEEN A RETELLING OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND? I blame the title. That title is totally misleading!
By the way, how did you do the spoiler thingy? I searched the whole internet for tutorials but I can’t understand even half of it, but I really need to learn that. 😛

Ohhh, good catch on the Alice in Wonderland. I also thought ‘hmm, that looks familiar’ but I thought it would be me (seeing how obsessed I am with fairytales :p) The ending surprised me – in a good way and I think this is a very solid start of a promising series.

Maven was not a psychopath! He was cold, cocky, and badass! (I have a problem with books where I either want the main character to turn evil and kill everybody or the bad guy to win and kill everybody. Like I said, I have a problem.)

Good review! I haven’t read this book, but I have read most of the books you said it’s like. I’ll probably give it a miss; I don’t really want to read a duplicate. Its a shame you didn’t like it, but I have heard this book across the blogosphere so at least you know what it’s all about now. :3